Newbie...GM, Ford or Dodge Diesel?
Doug
think that I will be able to tow with 3/4 ton HD Diesel safely. Have
looked at the GMC diesel with the Allison a/t and like the combination
of the two and the fact (?) that the GM diesel is quieter than the
competition.
Can anyone tell me if / why the GMC would be better / worse than the
Ford or the Dodge?
Also, I would like an extended cab version (so I guess Dodge is out of
the picture). Will I need to get the 8' bed or will I be able to make
the 6.5' bed work.
Thanks,
Doug in Santa Rosa, CA
Tex Houston
"Doug" <rshra...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:36a13ab7.03091...@posting.google.com...
> Also, I would like an extended cab version (so I guess Dodge is out of
> the picture). Will I need to get the 8' bed or will I be able to make
> the 6.5' bed work.
>
> Thanks,
> Doug in Santa Rosa, CA
Extended cab or crew cab?
Tex
jwlbal
with single rear wheels will be a better match for your trailer.
The 03 and 04 Dodge Cummins engine has been reworked with common rail
injection and is no louder than the Chevy or Ford. The Dodge cab, although
it has four true doors, is a bit shorter than the other crew cabs, yet
roomier than the other extended cabs.
The 6.0L Ford has had some serious growing pains that you should be aware
of.
Read the discussion forums at these three sites:
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/
http://www.thedieselpage.com/
http://www.thedieselstop.com/
"Doug" <rshra...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:36a13ab7.03091...@posting.google.com...
Brian Elfert
>Just starting to look at 30' 5th wheels in the past week or so. I
>think that I will be able to tow with 3/4 ton HD Diesel safely. Have
>looked at the GMC diesel with the Allison a/t and like the combination
>of the two and the fact (?) that the GM diesel is quieter than the
>competition.
The new Cummins engine in the 2003/2004 Dodge is incredibly quiet compared
to the old Cummins engine.
>Also, I would like an extended cab version (so I guess Dodge is out of
>the picture). Will I need to get the 8' bed or will I be able to make
>the 6.5' bed work.
An 8' bed pretty much guarantees the fiver will never hit the cab no
matter how tight the turn. I would recommend the 8' bed for a fiver.
The Dodge crew cab is not much larger than an extended cab. A lot of
folks won't consider it because it is so small compared to Chevy and Ford.
I'm not loyal to any brand, but I do have a Ford. Right now, I wouldn't
buy a Ford because of the 6.0 engine problems. If I was buying today, I
would seriously consider the Dodge. The Dodge detractor for me is the
small crew cab.
Brian Elfert
RAM^3
A few thoughts:
Check the individual GCWRs and make your own judgement as to the most
capable tow vehicle.
Forget about the sound level: all 3 now use the High Pressure Common Rail
system and there isn't much, if any, difference between the noise levels.
If you're looking for an EC due to overall length, don't overlook the Dodge
Quad Cab.
If you're willing to go with a sliding hitch, the short bed can work.
Personally, though, I prefer a long bed since it gives me more room for
"stuff".
Good luck with your search.
Allyn Boldt
With a 30 ft fifth wheel, I suggest you look at the single wheel one ton
rigs rather than the 3/4 ton.
Brian Elfert
>With a 30 ft fifth wheel, I suggest you look at the single wheel one ton
>rigs rather than the 3/4 ton.
This would automatically eliminate the Chevy/GMC since they only make a
dually in 1 ton. A dually is not bad if you aren't going to use it for a
daily driver.
Brian Elfert
RAM^3
news:3f65aac0$0$175$a186...@newsreader.visi.com...
Actually, both SWMBO and I prefer our dually as an all-around vehicle:
better visibility, greater comfort, greater safety, greater stability,
easier ingress/egress, and better [colder] air conditioning than either of
our two cars.
Our 2003.5 Dodge 3500 Quad Cab is more maneuverable than my '86 Chevy
Celebrity Station Wagon and gets about the same fuel mileage as her '89 Colt
Vista wagon. [Considering the difference in engines (1.4L I-4 Gas vs. 5.9L
I-6 Diesel), I find that rather remarkable!]
Parking it rarely causes US any problems - small cars usually avoid it.
About the only problem we've encountered is from parking garages with low
ceilings: at 7' high by 8' wide, it won't fit in a few of them that have a
6'6" ceiling height. (That's why we kept the '86 Celebrity - for the rare
trip to the one p.g. that has the low ceiling.)
HDinNY
snipped
> Also, I would like an extended cab version (so I guess Dodge is out of
> the picture). Will I need to get the 8' bed or will I be able to make
> the 6.5' bed work.
>
> Thanks,
> Doug in Santa Rosa, CA
Don't count the Dodge out till you check it out. The Quad
Cab is a better solution for people and storage than the
extended cab. I've had two extended cabs and now have the
Quad Cab. I'll take the Quad cab any time. And the new
Cummins diesel is quiet.
HD in NY
Ed
My wife and I pull a 37' 14000 GW 5er with a Chevy 2500 HD with
Duramax diesel and Allison tranny and single rear wheels. It is the
best pulling rig I've had in over 30 years of RVing. I can highly
recommend this truck. I pulled for years with a couple of Fords and
had both good and bad service so it comes down to personal preference.
I have no experience with Dodges so cannot comment. Good luck.
Ed